Michael Head revealed the cast have caught the Orient bug with Chelsea fan Michael Greco looking up the O’s results now

Michael Head has revealed ‘The Greater Game’ cast have all caught the bug for Leyton Orient after the club allowed the actors and actresses to rehearse in E10 last month.

Head, the writer of the play which is based on Stephen Jenkins’ book ‘They Took The Lead’, has seen the show earn rave reviews since its opening night on October 30.

To prepare for this run at the Waterloo East Theatre, the cast of ‘The Greater Game’ were invited to rehearse at the O’s Breyer Group Stadium and the gesture was appreciated by all involved.

“Leyton Orient have been amazing,” Head said. “On day one of rehearsals, we were literally reading the script and there was a knock at the door and the owner Kent Teague walked in with Danny Macklin, Elliot Byrne and a few others.

“Kent must have spent 20 minutes talking to us and telling us how welcome we were and to feel at home and you just wouldn’t get that at other clubs.

“Then we were interviewed pitchside when they released the fourth kit, which is also brilliant by the way, so that was wonderful and to be a part of that and interviewed in our replica kits was great.

“It makes us feel a part of it and I have been going to Orient now for around eight years, but for these people involved they are new to it and they didn’t know much about Orient, like I didn’t.

“But going to the stadium and rehearsing there has made it personal to them and Michael Greco is a huge Chelsea fan, but the other day he came in and the first score he looked up was Orient’s!

“That is what is wonderful and I cannot speak highly enough of the club and it includes everyone from the Orient Outlook Podcast, the Supporters’ Club, LOFT, the Memorial Fund through to the people at the very top.

“Everyone has embraced us and made us feel welcome and they have made the project what it is because without their support, we would be performing to 11 people and a dog, so it is their story and they are proud of it and we are proud to tell it.”

Some of the Orient playing squad and management staff watched the play on Wednesday and that will only increase this great, developing bond.